Woolies appoints Brian Mtongana as executive creative director

JSE-listed retailer Woolworths has appointed Brian Mtongana as its executive creative director, effective immediately.

This comes after Mtongana served as Woolworths’s design director for over 13 years which included overseeing the Woolies brand expression and execution. The retailer says his new role will include the integration of all creative touchpoints.

Commenting on his appointment, Mtongana says: “I am honoured to be working for the Woolies brand. I am excited to be called to lead [its] creative offering, and a formidable team that puts ‘making an impact that matters at the heart’ into everything they do.”

“Woolworths is on a journey of creating new, impactful and more purposeful ways to connect and engage with its customers, and I am delighted to be part of this journey and to help shape these stories.”

Mtongana, who currently serves as the Loeries Awards jury president, has been part of several local and international creative and brand building ventures including designing the patch for Mark Shuttleworth’s spacesuit.

Woolies says he collaborated with interdisciplinary graphic designer Vince Frost and the late renowned Italian designer Massimo Vignelli to develop and implement the retailer’s new corporate identity in 2010. It further notes that he has led the creative development of its leading iconic brand projects.

Woolworths’s interim chief marketing officer Kate Fordyce says the company is delighted to have Mtongana join the brand leadership table.

“Brian’s experience and strong creative leadership has earned the respect and admiration of many in the creative industry in South Africa and around the world,” Fordyce adds.

“His ability to drive innovative thinking and inspire a new outlook on critical business challenges has been proven time and again, and I know his wisdom and expertise will be invaluable as we take our Woolworths brand to new heights.”

Nondumiso Lehutso is a Moneyweb intern.